Widescreen Gaming Forum

==Game Information==

Half-Life is a critically acclaimed Sci-Fi first person shooter developed by Valve Software and published by Sierra in 1998.


==Version==

I tested using retail Half-Life version 1.1.1.0 (final retail patch).

I also used the "High Definition Content" from the Blue Shift expansion disk, though that has no bearing on the fix; only on the content of the screenshots I've provided.



==Method==

Valve added native widescreen support to the Steam version of Half-Life (Detailed Report), but the non-Steam version requires a Hex editing hack and a manual FOV tweak. Instructions for the hack are located here. The fix only adds resolutions for the OpenGL renderer; not the software or Direct3D renderer.



==Screen change==

Hor+ depending on modifiable FOV variable.

4:3 gameplay screenshot:

1024x768 - default_fov 90

16:10 gameplay screenshot:

1440x900 - default_fov 100.39487232

16:9 gameplay screenshot:

1280x720 - default_fov 106.270273206



==Supported resolutions==

List of widescreen resolutions the game successfully ran at: 1024x600, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1280x800, 1366x768, 1440x900
List of widescreen resolutions that were not tested: 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, and above.
List of widescreen resolutions the game fails to run at: N/A



==Singleplayer anomalies==

The entire game takes place in the first person perspective with the correct FOV used throughout.



==Multiplayer support==

Half-Life originally supported online gaming through the WON network, but those servers have since been shut down. There are unofficial recreations of the network (see: Steamless Project, WON2) that allow you to play the retail game online (at the time of this posting).

Half-Life also supports LAN gaming which does not require WON authentication.

This hack works fine in multiplayer, but since it does make changes to the executable, anti-cheat software installed by the server administrator may or may not detect it and ban the client. Server operators can force a limit on the FOV variables, but by default there is no limit.



==Surround support==

I have no means of testing surround support.



==HUD stretch==

The HUD and weapon models scale properly.



==Cut-scenes==

Half-Life has no cut scenes.


==Grading==

Calculated grade: D+

Minor outstanding DR omissions:

Did not test 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, or Surround Gaming.

Summary of widescreen-related flaws:

Hack Solution
Could lead to possible server ban from online anti-cheat software.

Thanks for that - I'm a huge classic HL-Fan - BTW, this works great with Gunman Chronicles as well.


cheers

1680x1050 worked for me, thx alot!

screen:

I don't think there's any need to start another thread for this. I just wanted to mention that this hack works perfectly well for the Half-Life: Uplink demo, too (must delete hldemo.dat for it to work, of course). I played it at 1366x768. The screenshot function didn't work. But FRAPS worked fine.

this also works for the expansions
heres a picture to prove it

Also 1 thing to note, you need to update your half life version to 1.1.1.0 for this to work on half life opposing force